Frantic neighbours threw bricks in an attempt to smash the bedroom windows of a blazing Nuneaton house where a family of four was trapped.

In desperation, neighbours passed a timber fence post through a small window and dad Matt Timson used it as a battering ram to break the glass.

Badly cut and bleeding, he had to be rescued by fire-fighters using a ladder. Other firefighters broke down the front door to reach his wife and two children.

All four were given oxygen by firefighters. They were then taken to Nuneatonundefineds George Eliot Hospital.

The rescue drama unfolded at 8am today after fire broke out in the familyundefineds lounge in Cornish Crescent.

Neighbours heard screams and ran to the house, where they saw Mr Timson banging at the bedroom window trying to get out. His wife, Nicola, and their two children, Aiden and Bethany, were also trapped upstairs.

One neighbour, visibly upset, said: undefinedIt was terrible. We could hear them shouting but no-one could break the windows.undefined

Two fire crews from Nuneaton and one from Bedworth were called.

Sub-officer Dick Payne said: undefinedNeighbours had been throwing bricks in an effort to break the bedroom window.

In the end, they hoisted a piece of timber through a small window and the father used it to break the glass from the inside.undefined

Firefighter Adrian Cartwright, aided by colleague Nathan Stevens, climbed a ladder to rescue the father, who was badly lacerated.

Firefighters Alan Bricknell and Martin Haley, wearing breathing apparatus, went into the blazing house to bring the family downstairs.

The fire, which gutted the house, broke out in the lounge.

Assistant Divisional Officer Glen Miller said: undefinedThere were two smoke alarms fitted in the house - but neither of them had batteries.

undefinedNuneaton is the worst town in the county for deaths and casualties in fires.undefined